Cool Mama Blog

Red is the new in–for your health that is!

2012-05-30T12:54:00.001-05:00

Recently I came across this fantastic article on the wonders of colors – as it pertains to your health. Now, you do understand that I am not asking you to change your wardrobe – which would definitely be great for your health, but I am talking about how to incorporate color in your diet.

So, I thought that I will discuss the benefits of each of the colors in the next few sessions.

(All information obtained from the article by Brian Underwood - Originally published in FITNESS magazine, July/August 2010)

The first color is my favorite color- RED

1. Chili Peppers – studies have shown that people who consume red chili peppers for breakfast tend to eat less fat at lunch time and are less hungry after breakfast.

This is because, Capsaicin the “bite” in the red chili peppers increases the production of appetite suppressing hormones called catecholamines. The result is a less hungry and more slimming you ! (and here you thought black was the slimming color for you!)

New goal – add chili peppers to your breakfast for instance in your scrambled eggs.

2. Strawberries – strawberries have shown to help you whiten your teeth! the yummy, juicy fruit contains salicylic acid which is a natural tooth whiter.

According to Janice cox, coauthor of Eco Beauty "Strawberries are a potent plaque fighter, and they actually contain a mild bleaching agent that's used in many commercial products,"

New goal – Eat a handful of strawberries with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, a strawberry smoothie for an afternoon pick me up or a bunch of chocolate coated strawberries.

3. Beets – Researches have discovered that beets helped cyclists increase their endurance up to 16%. It just happens that beets seem to reduce the amount of oxygen the body uses during exercise, thus helping us tolerate high intensity exercise of a longer time.

New goal – prior to exercising or going for a long bike ride, indulge in a delicious warm beet salad drizzled with red wine vinegar and olive oil. Add a bit of salt and pepper and you are in for a treat.

So there. Three RED foods that you should consider adding to your diet.

Next time, the benefits of the color ORANGE will be revealed (ha, the suspense must be killing you!!)

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Great Memorial Day Treats

2012-05-23T13:24:00.001-05:00

This memorial day, instead of the regular fat ridden Potato salad as a side dish for the yummy BBQ that you are planning, consider serving this awesome Salad.

This brown rice salad with crunchy sprouts and seeds is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters (even my kids liked it!). This salad has taste, freshness and crunchiness that all come together in a wonderful melody.

(adapted from Bon Appetite, June 2012)

Ingredients

1 cup packed chopped chives

1/2 cup and EVOO

2 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 1/2 cups of cooked lentils or mung beans

1 1/2 grated zucchini (make sure that you place the grated zucchini in a paper towel and squeeze out the extra liquid prior to adding it to the salad)

1/2 cup brown rice or Quinoa. Cook according to the instructions on the package and cool it on a sheet pan so they do not clump up together prior to adding to the salad.

1/3 cup toasted salted sunflower seeds

1/3 cup toasted salted shelled pumpkin seeds

2 scallions thinly sliced

1/3 cup of coarsely chopped roasted unsalted almonds

freshly ground pepper

Method

vinaigrette

Puree chives, EVOO, lemon juice and salt in a blender until smooth. Strain the vinaigrette through a fine mesh sieve if you desire a smoother dressing.

Add all the ingredients in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and toss it all together.

Serve at room temperature.

brown rice salad quinoa salad, healthy salad, great side dish, wonderful salad .

Why All Calories Are NOT Created Equally

2012-05-16T15:32:00.001-05:00

Has it happened to you, that you wake up one day just to realize that you are not happy with your body image?

I find it so frustrating that as we age, especially after hitting the dreaded 40, that we have such a difficult time loosing weight. We try and do all the right things- eat right and stay active. Yet, the tummy continues to sag and the thighs continue to grow!!!!I am ANGRY! But when I thought about it with a clear head, I wondered WHO exactly am I angry at? I try and not consume too many calories and I do try and keep active. So, why am I not as lean and trim as I was when I was in my 30s? and this is what I found out. The blame lies in our metabolism.

As we age, our metabolism slows down. Our metabolism or Basal Metabolic Rate accounts for 60 –70 % of the total number of calories we burn in a day. So, you see, if this number decreases, we burn fewer calories doing what we used to. And in turn, start packing on the pounds.

The second fallacy lies in the idea that in order to loose weight, you have to consume less calories and burn more . Makes sense right? then, how do you explain that during the depression in the 1930, when 6/10 Americans lived in poverty,is the year when the epidemic of obesity was the highest in the USA? These people certainly were not over eating. Also, during that time, children did not have ipods and ipads and were certainly more physically active then they are today. So, then why was childhood obesity the highest during this time?

So, this calories in = calories out formula might look great on paper, but in reality is a total sham.

Newer research states plain and simply – Not all calories are created equally. In other words, calories derived from refined sugars and grains are the culprits when it comes to weight gain – not only at 40, but at any age.Whereas, those derived from fruits, vegetables and lean proteins help provide us with energy and are not “evil”

The reason why these foods such as refined sugars and grains are the culprit, is their effect on insulin. The hormone insulin which is released by our liver is in charge of regulating fat accumulation in our bodies.

Sugar and high fructose corn syrup (found in most refined sweets) are both composed of glucose and fructose. While glucose is metabolized by virtually every cell in our body to create energy, fructose (also found in fruits but at much smaller quantities) is converted into fat. The fat accumulates in the liver cells which in turn become resistant to the action of insulin. So, in response, the liver secretes more insulin to compensate. The result is an elevated level of insulin in the blood stream – a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. This steady accumulation of fat in our fat tissue even though few calories a day eventually leads to obesity.

This would explain why the rate of obesity was so high during the depression. It was not the amount of calories that the people were consuming, but rather the types of calories that they were consuming. Calories derived from refined sugars, flour and starches are cheaper and plentiful during hard times. And that is exactly what the people in during hard times consumed.

So, one of the most important changes we can make in our diets to decrease our weight, is to decrease the amount of refined sugars and grains.

I hope that this will inspire you to cut down the sugar in your diets. I know (trust me!!), it is difficult, but unfortunately a reality that we all need to realize especially when we are in our 40s.

Technorati Tags: weight loss at age 40,why is it difficult to loose weight as you age,weight loss and age,obesity epidemic during the depression,why not all calories are equal

To Laser Or Not To Laser . . . That Is The Question

2012-03-23T09:48:00.001-05:00

Aaaahhh .. . .the joys of a hairy body!

Now, don’t get me wrong. I totally understand the need for a hairy body in the old times. The humanoids needed the extra hair to keep them warm and to scare away predators. Today however, we have expensive channel sweaters to keep us warm and husbands to chase away the predators. So, in this day and age, do we really need to suffer with excess body hair?

The answers my friends is . . . Absolutely NOT!!!

With the advent of laser it is now easier than ever to get that incredibly smooth hairless body that you always wanted.

And, with the help of deals on groupon (http://www.groupon.com/) living social (http://www.livingsocial.com), it is now cheaper than ever to help that dream come true.

Recently, I started getting laser on my arms that I have been waxing since I was 15 years old! With the first treatment, I saw at least a 50% reduction in hair growth! Incredible, just incredible. Also, I have had friends who have gotten their full face and in some instances full body lasered and totally dig the results.

So, what exactly is a laser and how does it work?

Well, a high intensity light from the laser goes into the shaft of the hair destroying the hair at its root, effectively stopping or reducing hair growth in a given area.

Lasers are set to target pigmentation; therefore laser hair removal is usually more effective on darker hair. Because of this pigmentation targeting, laser hair removal treatments were often avoided by people with darker skin. New laser technology has made laser hair removal safer and more effective for people with more varied skin tones and hair colors.

Make sure that the clinic that you choose to go to has the right type of laser for your skin tome. Especially if you have a darker skin tone, you need a special type of laser. The regular lasers will have to be turned up quiet a bit to get good results and this could cause a burn.

Before Laser Treatment

24 hours before your laser treatment, make sure that you shave the area. Now, if you are anything like me, you are scared shitless that shaving will result in the hair growing back darker and thicket. Especially if you are doing your full face, this task can be especially daunting. But fear not. This is just a myth. Shaving does not cause the hair to grow thicker and darker. in fact, if you do not shave prior to your treatment the results will not be effective. This is because the laser will be absorbed by the shaft of the hair and not much will get to the follicle to damage it. So, leave your fears aside and shave the area. Just incase you did not know, always shave with the grain and not against it!

Once you get to the clinic, the tech will clean the area making sure that it is devoid of all make up and oils. To be more thorough, don’t apply make up or oils on the day of the treatment.

Laser Treatment Process

A gel is applied to the area to be treated. This gel works as a conductor for the laser and helps keep the skin cool during the procedure. A technician will use a hand-held laser tool on an area to remove the hair. The procedure can cause discomfort in some individuals. Discomfort is usually slight and fades quickly.
I have heard from many techs that cooling the skin with a hand held ice roller or an ice pack prevents the laser to work effectively. so, if the clinic that you go to uses those method to cool the area, be sure to ask them that question.

After Laser Hair Removal

After the treatment, your tech will look for erythema (redness of the skin) as a sign of the treatment being successful. As an after treatment care, you will be advised to not take warm showers, no sun bathing, no working out . . . basically anything that can heat the skin. Other than that, you are good and hairless to go!

For a regular area, you will need between 6 – 8 treatments approximately 6 weeks apart. make sure that you book at least that many tridents as the hair grows in cycles and new hair will need to be zapped as it appears.

The most cost effective was to get laser done is by looking for deals on groupon or living social.

Remember also, to make sure that you check out the clinic that you are going to go to , to make sure that they do not have any bad reviews posted on them.

The ouch factor

Different people will tolerate laser differently. I have a high threshold for pain and I really wanted it done. So, I did not feel so bad. The areas that are bony like your elbow, will be more intense. Also, I found that my wrist was a little more sensitive. I guess it is because it is highly concentrated with nerves. From my friends, I have found out that the bikini area is incredibly painful. So, I am not even going to attempt to do that. Besides, having a laser so close to my “privacy” scares the crap out of me.

So, there. From me to you . . .Laser is a good thing. You should definitely give it a go!

Technorati Tags: Laser hair removal,what is laser hair reoval,why get laser hair reoval,pros and cons of laser hair removal,how does laser hair removal work

Chewy and Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

2012-03-20T11:37:00.001-05:00

If you know anything about me, you will know that I love to bake. I will bake at any chance that I get. so, when I came across this delicious cookie recipe, I had to try it. And, let me tell you. I am really glad that I did. The cookies turned out to be fantastic!

The recipe is from America’s Test Kitchen light and healthy (another reason I HAD to try it out!) 2012

Ingredients

1 1/4 all purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter ( I love Skippy)

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/3 cup light corn syrup

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3 Tbs. canola oil

2 Tbs. unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla

3 Tbs. dry roasted peanuts chopped fine

(Now, this is the low fat and healthy recipe that was listed. But I love adding chocolate chips to literally any thing that I can. So, I also added a cup of milk chocolate chips to the recipe at the end. The combination of PB and chocolate is truly delectable!

Set oven to 350 degrees

Mix the first three ingredients together in a bowl.

In a separate bowl mix the rest of the ingredients (except the chopped peanuts) together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and fold in the chocolate chips.

Divide the dough and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until fir – approximately 1 hour.

Form balls of the dough using approximately 2 Tbs. for each cookie. Grease the bottom of a glass and use it to slightly flatten each of the balls. Sprinkle each cookie with the roasted peanuts. Bake for 12-14 in. until puffy and lightly golden on the edges. Cool on the sheet for 5 min. and then on a wire for 30 in.

The best thing is that each of the cookies is only 130 calories! and has 3 gm. of protein . . Not bad!!!

Thanks once again to Americas test kitchen for a fantastic recipe!

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Mysteries SOLVED!!!! - Final Entry

2012-03-16T13:06:00.001-05:00

Hmmmm! woke up today to an absolutely gorgeous day! Wondered how I should spend my time. Thought about finishing up the series on the mysteries of the human body – just for you! My really cool, Cool Mama Blog readers!

So, here goes . . .

1. Have you ever wondered what is earwax? and why your doc tells you not to stick Q- tips in your ears (even though, I continue to do on a daily basis)

Well. according to Jordan Josephson , M.D, earwax is made up of moisturizing oils, infection fighting enzymes and dead skin cells.If you use q- tips, you keep pushing the wax deeper into the ear canal. Soon, the packed wax gets hard and stuck. so, the idea is let the wax be. Instead of using Q-tips to clean your ears ,gently tug at the ear lobes while you are in the shower. This will straighten the canal and allow the water to wash out the excess wax.

2. Have you ever wondered why your finger nails grow at a faster pace than your toe nails

Well, According to Nia Terezakis, M.D the theory is that since you use your fingers more than your toes your body attempts to “heal” those areas faster. Did you know that the nails on your dominant hand grows at a faster rate than those on your non dominant hand? Freaky!!!

3. Have you noticed as you age, you tend to ache more and more?

This is because as you age the cartilage – basically the cushion between your joints, tends to break down. Without this padding, your bones rub together causing stiffness and pain. This is what we know as arthritis.

Also, as we age, the bursa (fluid sacs that help tendons slide over bones) tend to become inflamed. The result is bursitis with pain mostly at night and not necessarily with activity.

The solution – keep fit. Work out. Keep your body healthy.

4. OK. This is weird. But have you ever tried to tickle yourself? No? go ahead give it a try. Ha! it is impossible! it is really impossible to tickle yourself! Do you know why?

The answer is the cerebellum – the area of the brain that helps the body monitor movement.

The cerebellum can predict how self- administered touches will feel. Since a truly successful tickle requires an element of surprise this early warning system makes self tickling impossible.

So there. All done with the mysteries of the human body. I hope that you had as much reading them as I had writing them and sharing them with you.

Technorati Tags: what is earwax,why do finger nails grow faster than toe nails,why do you ache more as you grow older,why is it impossible to tickle yourself

Mysteries of the Human Body–SOLVED!!!!!! (part 3)

2012-03-13T12:16:00.001-05:00

Hello followers of the Cool Mama Blog . . .

I hope that you have been reading the series on the mysteries of the human body. If not, you should totally check out the previous three blogs. There is a lot to learn if I must say so myself.

Today, we are going to solve mysteries such as why do we have bad breath and why do you cry while chopping onions.

1. You are in a theater watching the Titanic in 3D. You are overcome by emotion. You lean over to give your main squeeze a kiss only to realize that he has nasty breath! While you very discreetly pass him the breath mints, you wonder, what causes bad breath.

According to Ken Yaegaki, Ph. D., D.D.S, the reason for foul breath is the build up of a layer of microorganisms on your tongue. This white layer of film is composed of dead cells and microorganisms that produce sulphuric acid thus causing bad breath. The solution – brush your tongue back to front with a soft bristled tooth brush.

2. You are getting ready for dinner. The recipe calls for one chopped onion. As you start chopping, tears start flowing from your eyes. “Mama” asks your little girl, “Why are you crying?” Every ounce in your body wants to say, “because I hate cooking and I have to”, you think better of it and instead explain to her that . . .

Tears are formed by the release of a chemical called a Lacrimator (Harold Mcgee). When you cut into an onion, this chemical is released into the air. Once it reaches your eyes and nose it breaks down and irritates the nerve endings in these areas. The result is tears from your eyes and a runny nose as an attempt to rinse away these compounds. To minimize the tears, try soaking the onion in ice water. This will slow the enzymatic reaction that releases the lacrimator.

3. You go for a bath. While shampooing your hair, you realize that your hair tends to fall a lot lately. You wonder why

Well, it is common to loose 100 –150 hairs day. If you have longer hair, then, the effect will be more dramatic than if you have short hair. Also, if you don't wash or brush your hair daily, then the loss will appear greater on the days that you do. If however, you begin to notice that you can no longer style your hair the way that you used to be able to, then it is time to get checked out for thyroid disorders or lupus.

4.You are at your gym working out as always. You realize that you are OK while you walk on the treadmill, but you tend to be out of breath when you go up and down the stairs. Why oh why is this the case you wonder

While on the treadmill, you are not lifting your body weight up. Going up the stairs you are lifting 70% of your body weight against gravity!!! This is the same as rolling a suitcase on a flat surface or holding it up on an escalator!

so, once again from me to you, some more of your commonly asked questions have been answered.

Next time, the last 4 mysteries solved

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Mysteries Solved–Part 2

2012-03-07T12:48:00.001-06:00

So, in the last post we talked about questions such as what the heck is that gunk in my eyes and why in the dear lord’s name do I get goose bumps while watching scary movies.

Today, I will answer four more mysteries of the human body. Once again, all the material is obtained from the article by Catherine Price Star Tribune, Mar.4.

1. You decide to take your little niece for a manicure at the great Scoops saloon at the MOA for her birthday. But when you go and pick her up, you notice that she has bitten her nails so badly that there is no more nail left to be manicured. You wonder, why can some people not give up biting their nails?

Well, did you know that nail biting may have evolved as a type of self grooming ?(Monica Williams, Ph.D). It may also be used as a soothing ritual for when you are stressed. Some people bite nails. Other, suck their thumbs. While minimal chomping should be of no concern, over chomping to the point of bleeding or pain should be dealt with by a behavioral therapist.

2. You are on a date with your hubby. While sitting across from him and lovingly starring at him, you realize that he lost hair from where it is important – his head, but grown more hair where it is not so. . .hmmm, how should I put it nicely . . .not so attractive.

This is a common sign of aging and is caused by Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a sex hormone that some men are genetically predisposed to becoming sensitive to. (Spencer Kobren, founder f the American Hair Loss Association). When this sensitivity develops, DHT causes the hair follicles on the head to shrink, thus causing a hair loss. At the same time, DHT stimulates hair follicles on other areas of the body such as nasal passages and ears, thus causing our men to have hairy noses and ears (great!)

3. Your girlfriend calls you in a panic. You can hardly understand her on the phone for she cannot stop hiccupping. And she asks you “please tell me how to stop these annoying hiccups?” And you, since you read this great article reply . . .

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm and the muscles between your ribs. The common causes for short term hiccups are overeating, drinking too many carbonated drinks, sudden excitement, stress or too much alcohol. The remedies for hiccups include holding your breath, sipping cold water, gargling, swallowing a teaspoon of dry sugar, gently pressing on your eyeballs, or leaning forward to compress your chest. A longer term of unresolved hiccups should be checked out by as physician as it could indicate a serious underlying problem such as gastritis.

4. You go skiing with your son on a crisp winter day. As soon as you get up on top the hill, he asks you for a tissue as his nose is running. And as it would happen, this is the one day, you do not have one in your pocket. While no one is watching you rub his snot off with your sleeve. Crap, you wonder”why does our nose run when it is cold outside?”

Your nose has two jobs (other than taking in air for breathing )in the winter. First, it heats and humidifies the air that you breathe in so that the incoming air matches the environment in your lungs. Secondly, the glands in your nose produce secretions that add moisture to the incoming air. The blood vessels in your nose dilate to warm the incoming air. So, the reason you have a runny nose in cold days is because cold air is drier. This causes the glands in your nose to produce more secretions. Also, when you exhale warm air, some of the moisture from the exhaled air condenses into droplet of water which collect at the tip of the nose. The result . .. runny nose!

So there. From Cool Mama to you. Four more mysteries of the body – SOLVED!!

Next time – what causes bad breath and why do I cry when I chop onions??

Technorati Tags: Mysteries of the human body,why do men loose hair,hiccups,runny nose,nail biting

Mysteries SOLVED!

2012-03-06T15:20:00.001-06:00

Have you ever found yourself thinking of the most absurd but totally relevant questions? I do – all the time. Like when you get to bed at night and can’t fall asleep right away, your mind wanders and these crazy little questions invade your brain (don’t even deny it, I know you have been there as well!)

Questions like – what causes bad breath and why in the world can I not tickle myself??

So, when I came across this article in the Sunday newspaper, I was ecstatic – seriously! The author, Catherine Price went over 16 different mysteries that we encounter in our bodies and the explanations for each of them.

For the next 4 postings, I will discuss 4 of these mysteries at a time. I hope you find them as intriguing as I did.

1. You wake up in the morning just to find out that you can’t open your eyes due to a build up of yucky gunk in your eyes! what in the dear lord’s name is that gunk?

Well, the good news is . . . you are normal. The crust is actually tears that have dried up. Your tear ducts are constantly producing tears to flush out the allergens and the irritants from your eyes. We do not notice the crust while we are awake as the act of blinking wipes away the tears before they get a chance to build up. And since we do not blink while we are asleep, the tears accumulate. (Jason Edward Karo, M.D, ophthalmologist)

2. You are watching a scary movie cuddled up to your hubby. You run your hands over his arms just to find out that they are “bumpy!” and you wonder, why in the world do we get goose bumps during a scary movie?

Goose bumps are a result of something called Piloerection. This is the contraction of the muscles that surround each of your hair follicles. The contraction of the muscles causes your hair to stand up and a bump to form.

In prehistoric times piloerection helped the hairier humanoids stay warmer and make them look larger and scarier in a scary situation. (Zoe Draelos, M.D, dermatologist)

3. Your little girl goes swimming. After hours in the pool, she comes out and asks you, “Mom, why are my fingers all wrinkly?”

And you, being the smartest mom there ever was (since you do read this blog!!) say,

“Well honey your fingers are wrinkly because the outer most layer of our skin contains something called, Keratin. This makes the outer layer of our skin to absorb more water than the deeper layers. Since the outer layer of the skin is still attached to the other layers, the “extra” skin folds over giving the skin a wrinkly appearance. And since there is more Keratin in the skin covering the toes and the fingers, those areas especially become wrinkly” (and now, your little girl is saying to herself . .. did I really have to ask her this question?” (Richard Scher, M. D)

4. You are at a summer picnic with all your friends. As evening approaches, you start getting attacked by mosquitoes. But to your utter dismay, you are the only one being attacked. Why, why do you have to have such “sweet” blood?

Well, I am sorry to say, but maybe it is not that you have “sweet blood”. The reason why the night vampires are most attracted to you is by a variety of signals that you give out. The amount of heat, carbon dioxide, movement and the smell of the skin secretions like lactic acid determine how delicious you just are for these blood suckers.

since scientists have no clue exactly what amounts of these attractants are desirable to mosquito, jut go on believing that you do indeed have “sweet blood” and wear tons of mosquito repellent!

Next issue we will visit mysteries such as why can’t I stop biting my nails and why do men get more hair in some places and less in others as they age!

Until then . . .

Technorati Tags: body mysteries,why do my fingers wrinkle in the water,why do I get bitten by mosquitoes,why do i get goose bumps,why do i get gunk in my eyes,human body mysteries solved

And For The side, I’ll Have . . . FRENCH FRIES Please!

2012-03-01T12:42:00.001-06:00

It is the end of the week..Mind you, it has been a long, a really long week. You decide you don’t want to cook. So, you head off to the restaurant for a great meal with the family.

The waiter arrives at your table to take your order. And then it happens. The dreaded question , “And what would you like as your side?” every ounce in your body wants to say, “a house salad please”, but the words that come out from your mouth instead are “a large order of French fries !” Then the wheels in your mind start turning as you justify to your self why you deserve to have delicious, hot, crispy French fries after a hard week at work.

If you have been in this situation (and do not even pretend that you haven’t!), you just added an extra 430 calories and 23 grams of fat to your meal!!!

Ridiculous isn’t it?

We all crave French fries. Especially if our kids are sitting across from us devouring them with not a care in the world.

So, when I came across this great recipe in self magazine, march 2012, I decided to share it with the cool mama readers. This recipe helps you save 257 calories and 22 grams of fat!

First, instead of deep frying, bake your fries.

This recipe will serve 4

2 large baking potatoes

4 tsp. plain bread crumbs

1/2 tsp. each of garlic powder, dried oregano, and chili powder

1/4 tsp. each of sea salt and fresh pepper

2 egg whites

olive oil cooking spray

Heat oven to 400 degree

Slice potatoes 1/4 inch thick fries.

Pat dry.

In a bowl combine the bread crumbs with all the spices.

In another bowl whist egg whites until foamy. Add fries to coat with egg whites.

Toss fries in the spice mixture.

Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Arrange the fries in a single layer.

spray fries sparingly with the cooking oil.

Bake, turning once until fries are golden brown, approximately 20 min.

173 calories /serving, 1 g. fat, 36 g. carb, 3 g. fiber and 6 g protein.

Serves these fries with baked chicken or fish and you have a healthy and delicious meal .

Say, you are not in the mood for making the fries from scratch (warning!! you are missing out on some really delicious fries), you can always use the Alexia Oven crinkles available in your grocer’s freezer section. These fries are flavorful and will set you back only 120 calories and 4g fat!

Now, even this won’t do and your brain WANTS deep fried fries, then take the time to drive to Sonic Drive in.For some reason their small fries are only 200 calories and 1.5 g fat. This is 30 fewer calories than the same portion at McDonalds and 140 fewer calories than Burger King!

So, from one French fry craver to another, many ways to enjoy a great treat without being guilty for the rest of the week!

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Post Marriage Blues or Bliss?

2012-02-27T13:12:00.001-06:00

Do you remember when you were dating your spouse? you had so much fun doing all the exciting and interesting things. You did what he liked and he occasionally did what you liked. Hmmmm . .. .life was a joy wasn’t it?

Now think. Since you have been married, when was the last time you had so much fun? Have you changed? has he changed? or, is it that for the first time in your relationship you are true to yourself?

When we are dating, we work extra hard to please our partner. Even if this means doing things that we are not so keen about. Once married, that pressure of pleasing our spouse is finally lifted and we can be ourselves.

But, did you know that “shared leisure activities are essential for growing together as a couple and staying in love.” (William Harley, expert marriage therapist). If you give up doing fun things together, you will end up like ships passing in the night. You do not want that now, do you? absolutely NOT.

Finally, the kids are growing up. Soon you and your partner will be by yourselves, just like you were when you were dating. It is important then to explore things that you like doing together.

According to a great article I read in Experience Life Magazine, March 2012, the expert marriage therapist Willard F. Harley lists a set of barriers to overcome and strategies for success for couples who want to find recreational companionship.

BARRIERS TO OVERCOME

Differing energy levels – You could be the energizer bunny and your partner, a slow tortoise. What do you do then.

Separate tracks – You finally realize that the things you did when you were dating were not enjoyable to you but to your partner. Once in the marriage, you feel safe to explore your own “track”

Infidelity Dangers – sharing fun activities creates strong bonds and attraction between people. Building relationships with others in the leisure sphere can threaten your marriage.

The “If you loved me” trap – Using this phrase will lead to anger and resentment from your partner.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

Communicate – Be honest about your likes and dislikes. Let your partner know the benefits in recreational companionship. Generate positive feelings toward each other.

Build together time – Temporarily give up all the “unshared” leisure activities until you find some common ones with your partner. Once you have established a “together” time, you can resume your “me” time.

Find the intersection – Try out lots of new activities and you are bound to find something both of you enjoy.

Patience – especially if you have differing amounts of energy, be patient with one another. It will take some time to find out common interests.

So, let us vow to ourselves to bring back the “flame” that we had in our relationship during the dating stage and chase the marriage blues away!

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A Celebration Of Differences (and Similarities)

2012-02-23T10:49:00.001-06:00

The other day, as I was waiting in my car to get my little ones from school I realized something interesting.

The area that we live in, which has predominantly been American, has all of a sudden changed.

As I glanced around the other cars, I was surprised to see parents from so many different ethnicities doing exactly what I was – waiting for their kids.

This made me wonder if the curriculum in our kids school has changed in any way to teach our kids about different cultures.

Kids are like a blank slate. It is really up to us as parents to make sure that they learn about the different cultures around them which would lead them to grow into more culturally aware individuals.

United states Of America is one of the most diverse places on earth. And as we move on to the 21 century, it will be imperative that our kids are able to communicate and work with people from different racial and ethnic groups. This skill will be as if not more important than computer skills in the years ahead.

Children thrive to learn. They learn by understanding, identifying and appreciating the similarities and differences of those around them. This in turn will help them develop in a healthy way both emotionally as well as socially

One of the most important ways children are introduced to concepts of diversity and cultures is through books and media. It is amazing how many different T.V shows do just that. Dora and Diego portray the Mexican culture. Kai – Lan shows the little ones the Chinese Culture. But the one culture that tends to be missing, is the east Indian culture. Just in my son’s grade, we have 3 other East Indian kids. Since there is a void of presence of the East Indian culture in the Media, I decided to write the book “Lulu Goes To Bollywood’ in which a cute little dog introduces kids to the Indian culture in a simple and humorous way.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lulu+goes+to+bollywood&x=0&y=0

By learning about the cultures of kids around them, our kids will grow up to be respectful and kind adults. We are lucky enough to live in such a diverse society. Hopefully our kids will learn to be proud of their own cultures and embrace good values from the cultures around them.

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Get Your Paws Off MY Diet Coke!

2012-02-21T12:54:00.001-06:00

The other morning, as I lay in bed, slowly waking up the lovely and soothing sounds over NPR (National Public Radio), I was rudely woken up by a very disturbing news story.

The story indicated that recent research in the Journal of General Internal Medicine showed that people who drank diet pop everyday may have a heightened risk of heart attacks and stroke. What! I almost fell off my bed. I LOVE diet coke. I drink 2-3 cans every single day. Was I destined to die due to a stroke or a heart attack because of my love for diet soda? Well, it just so happens that this just might not be the case.

After reading the full article on the computer on this news story (what would I do without Google??) , this is what I discovered.

It is true that research indeed indicated that older adults who drank diet pop every day had a 44% increase risk in developing heart disease or suffer from a stroke.

However, the research also indicated that diet pop was not alone to be blamed. Research at the University Of Miami school Of Medicine showed that people who consume sugar free drinks tend to have other “unhealthy” lifestyle habits.

Apparently the regular diet pop drinkers tend to be heavier and more often have heart risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and unhealthy cholesterol levels.

So, knowing this, am I willing to give up my favorite drink? absolutely NOT. But am I willing to cut down a bit? damn right I will. I will also start working out more so that I am not going to end up in the “obese” category.

Life is too short. Sometimes the littlest things give us pleasure- like an ice cold can of diet coke!

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Love With Thy Brain NOT Thy Heart!

2012-02-14T11:49:00.001-06:00

Today, lovers all over the world will be celebrating the most romantic day of all time - Valentine’s day.

Sweet hearts will exchange gifts and candies all adorned with hearts. In fact the universal symbol for love is . . . THE HEART! But, do we really love someone with all our heart or do we do we love someone with all our BRAIN???? that is the question that has been studied extensively by Dr. Helen Fisher.

According to Dr. Fisher, love can be divided into 3 major systems of the brain

Sex
Romance
Attachment

Each of these three areas work during different times in the relationship and involves a different set of chemicals and neurotransmitters.

The Sex Drive – Or, as I call the “ Whoo whoo – Check out that hunkalicious thing” stage

Or should we call it what it is – LUST
This stems predominantly from the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus also controls our basic desires such as hunger and thirst.
The hypothalamus is related closely to the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which controls our heart and respiration rate.
There are receptors for testosterone on the hypothalamus which activates our ANS. The result . . . sex drive! (now we know why this area of the brain is the largest in men! damn testosterone!!!)

The Romance System – or, as I call the .“Flowers!!!! for me???” – stage

Aaaah the best part of the brain – the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens – the same areas that are most active when you are on a high. Whether it is a high on drugs or in most of our cases, high on LOVE!

These regions of the brain have the following neurotransmitters
Dopamine – drives us toward a perceived reward
Cortisol and phenylephrine – found in chocolate (now, that explains a lot!)
Serotonin – which is low earlier in a relationship. serotonin is also low in depression and obsessive compulsive disorder which explains why we are “addicted” to love earlier on in the relationship and why we have such a relentless optimism towards it. Basically, we crave it !

The Affection System- or, as I call it the “Let’s get married so we can forget about the flowers and lust !!!!” stage

Latter on in the relationship when the dopaminergic thrill is gone, we seek to “stick” to each other.

In animals the chemicals oxytocin and vasopressin are responsible in this phase of the relationship. Ironically, these “calming” neurotransmitters are also released by the lustful hypothalamus!

It almost seems that these different areas of the brain are at work at different times of the relationship. Which is a bummer. Because married or not, a bouquet of long stem red roses and a vine color patent leather bag form Louis Vuitton would be much appreciated and just might activate the “first” stage for us – at least for one night!!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Technorati Tags: Relationship stages and the brain,brain and love,how we love,how relationships are formed,three stages of relationships

5 Healthiest Ways To Cook

2012-02-06T11:17:00.001-06:00

If you read my last post (the mighty microwave) you might be a tad bit concerned about using the microwave to cook and heat your food. The biggest fear is working so hard to feed your family a healthy meal only to find out that all the good nutrients have been diminished due to this method of cooking.

So, I decided to do some research and find other methods of cooking that would preserve most of the nutrients in your food. Joy Feldman, NC, an integrative holistic health nutritional consultant has listed the following methods as the healthiest ways to cook.

1. Steaming –

Preserves flavor, aroma, vitamins and antioxidants
Decreases the volume of the vegetables so you can eat more!
USDA researchers have indicated that lightly steaming greens (broccoli, kale) increases their ability to bind more bile acids than if eaten raw. Lower bile acid in the blood makes the cholesterol make more bile thus reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream.

2. Stir Frying -

Intense heat minimizes nutrient loss.
Maintains vegetable texture and color

3. Sautéing -

Uses a moderate amount of fat in a pan over direct heat
Since cooking time is slightly longer than stir frying there is a slightly higher chance for loss of nutrients

4.Slow Cooker –

Even though cooking for a longer period of time at a lower heat will lead to a loss of nutrients, the benefit can be salvaged if the sauce is eaten.

5. Pressure Cooking -

Exposure to intense heat will lead to loss of nutrients but once again can be salvaged if the sauce is consumed.

The author frowns upon the following cooking methods -

Baking
Boiling
Grilling
Roasting
Toasting
Deep frying

So, there you go. A whole list of healthy and not so healthy ways to cook. In my opinion, you live but only once. So, once in a while go ahead and have your baked cake, your flame grilled steak and your deep fried French fries. It will not kill you and will prevent you from craving these foods and as a result over eat other stuff.

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The Mighty Microwave

2012-02-02T13:46:00.001-06:00

It is 6:00 PM. The kids are yelling on top of their whinny voices just how hungry they are. you have just walked in after a long and tiring day at work. You run to the refrigerator and get yesterday’s leftovers. You literary throw the food on to the plate and stick it in the microwave. You turn the power button “on”. But, nothing happens. PANIC !!!!! You run around like a chicken with her head cut off, pressing all the buttons that you can think of. The whining gets louder. You panic more when you realize . . . NO MORE MIGHTY MICROWAVE !

This is when you realize just how much we depend on this little black box to get us through a hectic day and get meals heated up in a jiffy.

But, have you ever taken a moment to reflect on why we call microwaving our food “nuking”? do you really know what is going on inside the oven once the door is shut?

Contrary to the common belief that microwave heats food by releasing radioactive energy, microwaves use a magnetron that converts electric power into waves of oscillating electromagnetic energy. Juming Tang, PhD, professor of food engineering at Washington State University in Pullman states that the microwaves permeate food. This causes agitation of water molecules and charged salt ions. This produces friction and a quick rise in temperature thus quickly heating the food.

Some critics of the mighty microwave (bet you a $100 that they are not parents!), state that the intermolecular friction caused by the appliance reduces the bioavailability of essential vitamins ad minerals such as the B and C vitamins. In the defense of these critics, certain studies have indeed shown that the microwave does cause some foods to loose their benefits. Such as, Olive oil tends to loose its antioxidant capacities and garlic can destroy it’s most powerful medicinal compound allicin by microwaving.

Now that you Know the “potential” risks of the mighty microwave, are you willing to get rid of it? Are you willing to listen to the constant whining of the kids after a long day of working hard? I didn't think so.

So, when I came across this great article on how to safely microwave your foods (Experience Life Magazine, 2/2012), I had to share it with my dear readers.

1. Use only ceramic or glass containers – Plastics could leak a range of chemicals into your cuisine including carcinogens and hormone imitators such as BPA

2. Minimize on the amount of water used and the time to heat – Many nutrients are lost from foods due to using too much water or blasting on a high temperature for a longer period of time.

3. Put a lid on it – This is to retain the moisture in the food. The moist heat will help destroy the harmful bacteria in the food and ensure even cooking. Also, you will not have to clean the crud of the microwave walls at the end of the day.

4. Out with the old – Make sure that there is a good seal between the door and the frame. Cleaning the crud off the seal will ensure just that.

So, now that you are aware of the safe ways to microwave your food, go ahead use the mighty microwave happily and without any guilt!

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The Final Installment in the Goal Setting Series . . . Winning!

2012-01-31T13:24:00.001-06:00

Do you remember the last time that you accomplished a goal and how happy you were? isn’t it an amazing feeling to say to yourself, “Yes! I did it!”

Well, after working hard to accomplish all the steps stated thus far, you have finally reached the right to say the treasured words . . . I DID IT!

Most people when they accomplish a goal, forget to celebrate. It is really important to give yourself that positive feedback and take a moment to reflect upon your goal. Your positive feedback to yourself will give you the motivation to keep going and work toward your other goals.

So, at the end of the day ask yourself the following questions (Kate Larsen, Experience Magazine 2/2012)

Did I accomplish my goal today? If so, how did I do it? If not, what smaller successes did I make towards my goal?

If, I failed to achieve my goal, what were my obstacles and can I change them so that they do not interfere my goals tomorrow?

If you failed to accomplish your goal, don’t fret! Just learn from your mistakes, make the changes and move on.

One of the best ways to celebrate your win, is to keep a success journal in which you jot down all your successes no matter how big or small. (or, in my case, buy yet another Coach bag!!)

So, this is the end of your 4 part series on goal setting. I hope that you strive to reach all your goals that you have set for yourself this year. Believe that you will win, an you sure will. Have confidence in yourself and tackle on thing at a time!

Happy Goal setting and achieving!

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Lights. Camera… ACTION

2012-01-27T11:19:00.001-06:00

Finally, we are at the “action’ part of our game plan. Did you take a moment to complete the first two parts of the goal achievement plan? well, I hope so.

Have you ever had awesome intentions of say loosing weight or becoming more active and you have failed miserably to act upon them? Yep, we have all been there (me more so than others!)

In this part of the game plan, you will learn for yourself the difference between good intentions and great execution.

The key to your success in this stage is to prioritize your commitment to your self and to the goal that you have set. So, for instance if you are pressured by your hubby to watch TV at the time that you usually work out (assuming that that is your goal), then you have to be strong, stand up for your goal and tell your hubby that he will really not melt if he were to watch TV by himself!

When you are placed in a compromising situation where you have to place your goal first, ask yourself the following questions (Kate Larsen, Experience Life Magazine, Feb.2012)

In an hour, what will I be more pleased that I did? (TV sounds great, but, that skinny waist will feel much better!)
What choice will lead to the greatest amount of regret
What would the person that I aspire to be, choose right now

So, this is the stage where the real magic happens.

Be true to yourself and to the goals that you have set and you will surely accomplish them.

The final stage in the goal setting saga . . . WINNING!

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Goal Setting–Guaranteed to Work–part 2

2012-01-24T11:58:00.001-06:00

So, since the last time that we spoke (well, kindda) I hope you all had a chance to jot down the answers to all the questions.

Now, the second part on how to achieve your new years’ resolutions. How to Choose your goal.

In the ‘choose” stage, you fully commit to your goal.

This is the stage when you warm up for what is to come. The most critical part in this stage is building a sense of confidence.You have to believe that you can with effort , make the change that you hope to make.

This is a make or break moment for most people. If you do not believe in yourself and your ability to achieve your goal, then you simply will not try hard enough to do so.

The best way to build self confidence is to gain knowledge and information on the change that you are about to make. So, for instance, if my goal is to increase my web traffic for this blog, then I will have to search on ways to do just that. By gaining the knowledge you will in turn demystify the unknown on achieving your goal. Also, another way to building confidence in yourself is to say to yourself “I choose to change” several times a day.

According to Kate Larsen, the following questions should be answered in this stage :

What do I currently do that will help my achieve my goal
what do I currently do that will deter me in achieving my goal
what situations trigger me to engage in self-sabotaging behaviors
How well do the choices that I currently make serve me
What information do I need and what information do I already have to make this change

The answers to the above will lead you to the next 2 steps in this stage – creating an action plan and setting appropriate benchmarks for your achievements.

An action plan will turn your intention into something concrete.

Benchmarks will allow you to see your progress.

Once again according to Kate Larsen, the following questions will help you will the action plan and the benchmarks.

who/what are my resources
who is my support
When will I start the process
what are my steps
What will I have to give up to make this change
How will I measure my progress
How will I reward myself when I achieve the benchmarks for my goal

The next stage in goal setting and achieving is – Action!

Please take a moment from your busy day and jot down the answers to the above questions so you can proceed to the ‘action” part of goal setting.

I hope that you are finding these series on goal setting as useful as I am.

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Yeeee! The New Year is Here .But… are you ready????

2012-01-20T13:14:00.001-06:00

OK. The first 1/2 of January is over and by now we are sure to be slacking off all the great resolutions that we made only 20 days ago. Yaah, I know as well as you do who you are! Enough excuses about lack of time and feeling down and taking care of the kids. Wake up and smell the coffee (hopefully one from Starbucks. . .. trust me , you will need it!). You have 20 days less to complete all the goals that you set for yourself at the beginning of the year.

To make your task easier (since I am so totally awesome!) I will share a great article that I recently read on goal setting.The article was written by Kate Larsen in the Experience Life magazine, Feb. 2012.

To make it manageable and not overwhelming, I have decided to discuss each of the 4 steps of goal setting on separate days. Also, where possible, I will present the ideas in a point form so that it is easier to skim through the article at a future date if you so desire (please desire!!)

OK. So, as mentioned, there are 4 basic steps on how to achieve the resolutions that you have set for yourself.

The first step is to Think

In this stage, you build a strong foundation for your goal – reflect on the changes you want to make and how you to propose to do that.
Have your personal interest at hand while setting your goal – as in, you want to save $$ because YOU want to not because your spouse wants you to.
Choose a goal that “lights” you up (please, I did not mean “on fire”). The goal that you pick for yourself should be energizing and challenging and at the same time not impossible to attain.
The best goals are those that meet your intrinsic need for autonomy, competence and connectedness. These goals will make you so much happier when you achieve them.
Create positive goals such as I want to achieve 100 views of my blog a day (hint hint ! start spreading the word along people!!!) not . . .I will jump off a cliff if I do not increase my web traffic! Fear is a poor motivator. positive goals are more compelling.

According to the author, before you set your goals for 2012, ask yourself the following questions (experience Life, Feb. 2012 – Kate Larsen)

What is my goal
What do I want to change about what I am doing to achieve my goal
How will my life be better when I achieve this goal
What makes this the right time to change
How do I feel about making these changes – your fears and hopes
How will I know when I have accomplished my goal
What will my life be like when I achieve my goal

Think about these questions and take time to write down the answers. Some people also benefit from making a vision board.

The next step in goal setting and achieving is Choosing your goal. – until the next time, please take time to write down your answers and help me achieve my goal by spreading the word around for coolmama blog!

thanks and ciao!

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Spice Mixtures Commonly Used In Indian Cooking

2012-01-18T12:56:00.001-06:00

So, this morning, I received a great comment from a true and tested follower of Cool Mama blog who pointed out to me that I had mentioned a mixture of spice in the last post and had not explained it’s content which would be confusing to those that are unfamiliar with it. Thanks a ton Shy for pointing that out.

so, for today’s post, I decided to list the composition of two commonly used spice mixtures in Indian Cuisine. Both can be readily purchased from an Indian Grocery store. But . . . as my mom always says, it does not measure up to the home made stuff. (And that is why, even to this day, she sends me my spices from Toronto!)

The first spice mixture is Dhana Jeeru (that is the one that I failed to explain in the post on ginger)

Dhana = coriander seeds

Jeeru = Cumin seeds

Dhana Jeeru is made by blending together equal amounts of the two in a coffee grinder dedicated to spices alone (otherwise your morning cup of Joe will taste very . . . hmmmmm…. “indianish”). To bring our more flavor of any spices, it is best to toast them in a frying pan for a few min. until they are fragrant, cool them and then blend them.

This and all spices are stored well in a air tight container for up to a month in the pantry and thereafter in the refrigerator. But, try to use it up within 6 months otherwise all the flavor will be lost and it won’t taste the same.

The second spice mixture is Garam Masala -

Garam = hot

masala = spices

Garam masala = mixture of hot (whoo hoo !!!) spices

The following will make about 2 oz. (adapted from Healthy Indian Cooking – 2007)

10 dried red chilies

3 X 2.5 cm cinnamon sticks

2 curry leaves

2 Tbs. coriander seeds

2 Tbs. cumin seeds

1 tsp. peppercorns

1 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. fenugreek seeds

1 tsp. black mustard seeds

1/4 chili powder

Procedure

Dry roast the chilies, cinnamon and curry leaves in a frying pan for 2 min.

Add the rest of the spices and continue to dry fry until fragrant (the spices will turn darker as they release their oils)

Cool the mixture and blend it in the coffee/spice grinder.

store in an air tight container.

Both these spice mixtures are awesome to have handy if you cook Indian cuisine often.

Enjoy !!

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Spicy 5 - Ginger

2012-01-17T15:11:00.001-06:00

Main health benefit – quiets queasiness

One of the main ingredients in Indian and Thai cooking, ginger is a delicious and pungent spice.

The main health benefit of this great spice is to relieve nausea. In a study conducted at University of Michigan and at the national Yang'-Ming university, it was concluded that 1000 mg of ginger relieved motion sickness at a higher prevalence than the placebo.

Ginger limits the release of vasopressin, a key hormone found in development of nausea and motion sickness.

Ginger is also helpful in preventing and treating arthritis, asthma, cancer, cholesterol, heartburn, heart attack, morning sickness, stroke and elevated triglycerides.

One of my favorite recipes using ginger is

Ground Beef, pea and potato curry.

Ingredients

3 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 small onion diced finely

2 sticks of cinnamon

5 peppercorns

4 whole cloves

3 medium sized potatoes peeled and cubed in 2 inch cubes

2 roma tomatoes – diced

2 Tbs. cilantro leaved chopped

2 tsp. Dhana Jeeru

1/2 tsp. red chilies

1/2 tsp. mustard powder (hurder)

2 tsp. garlic (minced)

2 tsp. ginger (minced)

2 tsp. salt

1 pond 93% fat free ground beef

1 cup frozen peas

1/2 tsp. garam masala

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice.

stir well.

Procedure

Heat oil in a pot over medium heat

add the cinnamon, peppercorns and cloves and stir until fragrant (approximately 30 seconds)

add onions and cook stirring frequently until the onion is translucent

add the cubed potatoes. cook until the potatoes are partially done (approximately 5-6 min.) stir frequently to avoid sticking

In the meantime, place the tomatoes and all the ingredients up to salt in a bow and set aside.

Once the potatoes are partially done, add the tomato mixture.Cook until the spices are fragrant about 5 min.

Add the ground beef and break it down with a wooden spoon. Mix well and cook 3 min.

Add 11/2 cups of water and bring the curry to a simmer. simmer on low heat for 15 – 20 min . Make sure that toe potatoes are cooked through. Add the peas. Cook for another 5 min. until the peas are heated through. Taste for salt and spiciness. make necessary adjustments.

take of the heat. Add the 1/2 tsp. garam masala and 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice.

stir well.

Serve over a bed of warm, fragrant Basmati rice or with warm naan.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: health benefits of ginger,health benefits of spices,why eat ginger,how to relieve nausea naturally,nausea remedies,recipe ground beef,beef,pea and potato curry,recipe using great spices

Spicy baby!–Part 4

2012-01-12T10:47:00.001-06:00

If you are a woman, you are going to love and appreciate this spice. It’s main benefit is . . . calming Menstrual Cramps!

When I was younger, I was so debilitated with menstrual pain that I had to miss school, work and ended up throwing up and drenched in sweat all day! So, when I read that Fennel actually helps with cramps, I was ecstatic (and upset that I did not know about this early on!!)

Fennel is a vegetable, a herb and a spice. It’s licorice – like flavor is due to it’s volatile oil anethole.

In a study reported in the Journal Of Obstetrics and Gynecology it was concluded that fennel oil was superior in healing cramps than over the counter NSAIDS.

Another study showed that fennel was helpful in calming colic in babies. If you are of an Indian Origin, you will remember having Gripe water to ease your indigestion as a kid. When my son was born, the first thing that my mom brought for me from Toronto is 5 bottles of gripe water! (thankfully, it was the nonalcoholic kind!). Also, if you have ever visited an Indian restaurant, you will recall a bowl of fennel seeds by the checkout that you help yourself to in order to help you digest the massive meal that you just consumed.

Besides indigestion and menstrual cramps, fennel is also shown to help with Alzheimer's cancer, colitis, IBD, dementia, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, hirsuitsm (unwanted hair growth in women) and stroke.

Fennel is used in Indian, Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

One of my favorite recipes using fennel is

Marinara sauce

Ingredients

2 small onions diced

2 Tbs. olive oil

2 28. oz. cans of dice tomatoes drained and juice saved

2 tsp. crushed garlic

2 tsp. crushed oregano

2 tsp. basil (dried)

2 tsp. crushed fennel seeds

2 tsp. salt

2. tsp. black pepper

1 cup. saved tomato juice

1 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Procedure

In a pan, heat the oil and sauté the onion until golden and translucent (making sure that they do not burn)

Add the garlic, oregano, fennel, basil, salt and pepper and cook until the spices are fragrant

Add 1 1/2 cans of the crushed tomatoes (drained of course!) and cook until almost all the water is evaporated.

Add the tomato juice and the broth to the consistency that you want your sauce.

Cook for 5-7 min.

Once the sauce is cooled, blend it with the remaining 1/2 can of the diced tomatoes. Use a hand blender or a regular blender until the sauce it smooth

Place the sauce back in the saucepan. Add the sugar to cut down on the acidity from the tomatoes. stir well.cook for 5 min.

serve over a bed of delicious warm pasta!

The last spice to be discussed . . . Ginger!

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Spice it up– Part 3–Coriander

2012-01-09T12:13:00.001-06:00

So, now that we have discussed the benefits of Turmeric and Cinnamon, I hope that you have gotten a chance to use them both in your cooking. I was so impressed by the number of questions I received on both these spice that I have decided to continue with the series and discuss the next spice – coriander.

Coriander and Cilantro are often used interchangeably. But this is incorrect. Cilantro is a herb which is the scented leaves of the coriander plant whereas coriander comes from the plant’s sweet, nutty seeds.

The main health benefit of coriander is in easing digestive discomfort. It may also help prevent and treat diarrhea, colic, bloating, cholesterol, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, flatulence, indigestion, IBS, insomnia, psoriasis, rosacea, vaginal yeast infection, ulcer, stomach ache and lead poisoning.

The curative properties of the spice comes from it’s volatile oils – linalool and geranyl acetate . In a recent study of patients suffering from IBS( irritable bowel syndrome) it was concluded that the group that was taking a coriander preparation had a 3X more improvement over the course of 3 weeks than those in the placebo group.

The reason behind this miraculous spice is that it works as an antispasmodic drug relaxing the contracted muscles that causes IBS. And this could also be the reason why it helps decrease high blood pressure.

Most Indian and Moroccan dishes use coriander as a spice in their cooking. One of my favorite recipes using coriander is

Tandoori Masala Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

6 chicken breasts

2 Tbs. low fat yoghurt

1 Tbs. Tomato Puree

2 tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. ginger pulp

1 tsp. garlic pulp

1 tsp. green chili ground

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbs oil and more for basting

3 Tbs. lemon juice

Procedure

Rinse, and pat dry chicken breasts

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.

rub spice mixture over the chicken breasts ,

Let marinade sit for 3 ours up to overnight in the refrigerator

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Place the chicken in an oven proof dish and bake for 15 min. Baste the chicken breasts with a tsp. of oil midway through baking. Turn the temp. of the oven to 350 degrees and continue to bake for another 10 – 15 min. or until the instant read thermometer reads 165 degrees at the thickest part of the chicken.

Let the meat rest for 10 min. before serving. This chicken is totally awesome with some hot buttery naan!

I hope you get a chance to try to try out this recipe.

Next spice to spice you up is . . . Fennel

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Spice Up Your Life–Part 2

2012-01-05T11:21:00.001-06:00

Today’s spice of the day is . . . Turmeric!

Now ,if you have been following my blog for a while (I hope that you are) then you will remember that last year I wrote a whole blog about this incredible spice. If not, you are welcome to check it out at http://www.coolmamablog.com/2010/07/another-reason-to-eat-indian-food.html (by the way, if I were you, I would totally check this article out as it contains a ton of awesome info!).

The main health benefit of turmeric is in reducing inflammation. It may also prevent and help treat acne, allergies, Alzheimer's’, arthritis, asthma, cancer, cholesterol problems, colitis, cystic fibrosis, depression, dermatitis, type 2 diabetes, eczema, eye infection,flatulence, gallbladder disease, gout, gum disease, heart disease,high blood pressure, itching, liver disease, macular degeneration, obesity, pain, Parkinson's disease, pollution side effects,psoriasis, rash, scleroderma, stroke, wounds (wow! now that is a wonder spice)

Turmeric owes its preventative and curative characteristics to it’s active ingredient Curcumin.Curcumin is so diverse and rich in anti- inflammatory and anti oxidant actions that thousands of studies have indicated it’s benefits in practically every organ in the body. In Studies done by Dr. Aggarval, it was proven that Curcumin was more effective in reducing inflammation than the over the counter aspirin and ibuprofen and as effective as the more powerful prescription drug, Celebrex. Also, it proved to thwart breast cancer cells as effectively as the toxic drug Tamoxifen!. According to Dr. Frawley, the director of American Institute For Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, if there was only one single spice he had to depend on for all possible health and dietary needs, he would take Turmeric.

So, the long story short . .. try to consume as much turmeric as possible. Most Indian recipes use turmeric as a spice. One of my favorite recipes that is well known to everybody is Samosa the recipe for which can be found at http://www.coolmamablog.com/search?q=samosa

Also, you can use a bit of turmeric while stir-frying vegetables, or in a pot of rice, in a bowl of soup, add it to fried onions and you can also put it in warm milk with a bit of honey for a delicious drink (the kids will get a kick out of the yellow milk)

So, I hope that this was informative and that you add a bit of spice to your life.

Next spice to be discussed . . .Coriander!

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